Seventy-eight years ago, Tyrone residents gathered along Pennsylvania Avenue to show support and say their farewells to a group of men setting out to answer their country’s call. These men were a part of the Sheridan Troop, Troop B, 104th Cavalry.
In 2003, four of the five surviving members of the Sheridan Troop were able to get together at the Tyrone Armory, one last time, for a trip down memory lane as the 65th anniversary of their departure approached. James W. Morrissey, Alexander J. Catich, Pete Spanelli and Bama Miller were happy to be together and share their stories, but they also remembered those friends who could not be with them. The group was especially saddened by the passing of Clair G. Sharer, just weeks before their impromptu reunion.
Since their gathering in 2003, the men lost another friend with the passing of Aldus Shuey, who was unable to attend the previous gathering. Today, as we look at the roster, no names remain. Marion “Bama” Miller was the last surviving member of the Sheridan Troop and he passed on May 3, 2010 at the age of 89 years.
March 1, 1941: down Pennsylvania Avenue to the train
The Sheridan Troop’s journey began on January 14, 1941 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt placed all federally recognized National Guard units on active duty for military training lasting one year. The order provided for prompt mobilization of all units involved. Troop B was ordered into active federal service on February 17, 1941.
In the early morning on March 1, 1941, the troops marched down Pennsylvania Avenue, amid the crowd of onlookers, making their way to the train station. At the station they boarded two coaches; all their baggage was placed in the baggage car and their trusted mounts were carefully stowed in three horse cars.
The men were on their way to the Fort Indiantown Gap Military Reservation. Of those soldiers who boarded the train that morning, four were still living in 2005. As these four men looked at mementos and photos of the Sheridan troop, they remembered the march to the train station, their arrival at Indiantown Gap and their departure for Philadelphia where the group eventually was split up. Some of the men were assigned infantry units, some were sent to the Navy and others served in the Army Air Corps. Morrissey described his 28 months overseas, saying from Philadelphia he was sent to North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. Spanelli served two years after leaving Philadelphia, spending time in India, Burma and China. Miller was stationed on the European Theater of Operation for two and a half years after separating from the Sheridan Troop, and Catich spent three months with the 303rd 8th Army Air Corps in England.
The roster, March 1, 1941
The Troop B, 104th Cavalry roster as of March 1, 1941 listed: Captain Jesse L. Waite; First Lieutenant Thomas J. Barnhart; First Lieutenant Warren McKinney; Second Lieutenant Irvin F. Mitchell; Second Lieutenant Harold L. Barr.
Sergeants: Robert J. Charles, Albert L. Duey, David R. Lykens, Walter S. Ross, Elmer E. Sheriff, Samuel A. Steel and John H. Stroup.
Corporals: James D. Isenberg, Chester L. Shaner, Stanley P. Singler, Clark F. Speece, Melvin J. Waite and Devon D. Winslow.
Privates First Class: Jack P. Anderson, John W. Bayer, Jr., Sheridan R. Bland, Alexander J. Catich, John P. Duff, Paul E. Hughes, John W. Johnson, Robert V. Lucas, Edward R. Myers, Harold T. Oshell, William H. Phillips, William S. Shively, Reeder C. Singler, Calvin L. Stahl, Harry C. Steele and Guy E. Waite.
Privates: James M. Ammerman, Thomas J. Barnhart Jr., George M. Barner, Charles I. Baughman, William G. Bickel, Chalmer O. Burget, Guy E. Burkholder, Harry Cosentino, William W. Cramer, James S. Daughenbaugh, Richard F. Dean, Joseph B. Demko, Edward Dufour, Robert D. Eckroth, John E. Eschbach, Ivan P. Fleck, Clarence E. Frantz, John M. Gillman, Francis J. Hardy, Kendell E. Harpster, Clair Hinish, George A. Igou, Jack E. Irvin, Ralph D. Irvin, Harry E. Johnson and Earl L. Kaspick.
Also: Robert C. Keppler, Frank Kolinchak, James LaRosa, Andrew T. Lapinsky, Paul L. Little, Donald R. Lloyd, George Loner, Robert S. Lynn, Edwin S. Magill, Gerbert Markel, James C. McCulley, Talford D. McCaulley, Richard D. McCracken, Lloyd O. Michaels, Donald R. Miller, John R. Miller, Marion D. Miller, Gerald L. Miles, Edmund P. Moyer, James W. Morrissey, William M. Myers, Harold J. Nearhoof, Donald W. Oshell, Ray M. Oshell, Robert M. Parker, Harold O. Peters and William T. Potaris.
Completing the long list: James E. Price, Thomas T. Price, James C. Reed, Jr., Charles W. Renney, William F. Rodgers, Paul H. Rutherford, Clair G. Sharer, William E. Shoemaker, Aldus E. Shuey, Charles B. Snyder, Edward L. Snyder, Pete Spanelli, William G. Sponsler, Louis L. Stiner, Ryland G. Summers, Fred J. Tennis, Herbert E. Thomas, Martin S. Waite, Vernor Waite, Warren E. Way, William A. Wertz, Donald L. Westley, Richard L. Weston, Richard N. Williams, Herbert M. Williams, George H. Wolfe and Herbert E. Young.
From 1871 to mechanization
Tyrone’s Sheridan Troop was organized on July 15, 1871. According to “A History of The Sheridan Troop and Troop B Pennsylvania National Guard and Sheridan Troop Veterans Association Tyrone, Pennsylvania,” compiled in 1960–61 by Francis D. Beyer Sr., “Early in the summer of 1871 a group of men headed by Charles S. W. Jones of Tyrone began meetings to discuss the possibility of organizing a National Guard Cavalry troop in the Tyrone area. When the number of men in the Tyrone group reached twenty, they began a series of meetings, adopted the name Sheridan Troop, elected officers on a temporary basis, and adopted resolutions to govern the group pending completion of organization.”
The troop remained a cavalry troop until late 1941 when the 104th cavalry was completely mechanized. All remaining horses returned to remount depots by the end of April 1942. It was on the final night before the horses were returned that each of the troopers brought their horse into the barracks to keep them warm.
Share your memories